Optometric Center for
Family Vision Care
and Vision Therapy
and Vision Therapy
Visual Snow SyndromeHere at FVC&VT we use our expertise in neuro-optometric rehabilitation to help the many underserved patients suffering from Visual Snow Syndrome.
Neuro-optometric rehabilitation is recommended for patients suffering from visual disorders stemming from traumatic brain injuries, neurological disease and conditions. Visual Snow Syndrome is an example of such a condition.
Visual Snow Syndrome
Here at FVC&VT we use our expertise in neuro-optometric rehabilitation to help the many underserved patients suffering from Visual Snow Syndrome.
Neuro-optometric rehabilitation is recommended for patients suffering from visual disorders stemming from traumatic brain injuries, neurological disease and conditions. Visual Snow Syndrome is an example of such a condition.
What isVisual Snow Syndrome (VSS)
A neurological disorder that impacts an individual’s vision, hearing, cognition, sensory processing, and quality of life. The defining characteristic of VSS is seeing visual snow, which can be described as seeing static, flickering dots, and flashing lights 24/7 (with your eyes both open and closed).
Some describe it as trying to see in the middle of a snowstorm or through a snow globe that has been shaken up. VSS entails more than just seeing visual snow. People with VSS also commonly experience many other debilitating visual and non-visual symptoms. VSS symptoms affect an estimated 2-3% of the world’s population.
Diagnostic Criteria
Diagnostic Criteria
Dynamic, continuous tiny dots across the entire visual field,
persisting for more than three months
Additional visual symptoms of at least two of the following four types:
- Palinopsia (persistent recurrence of a visual image and/or trailing images after the stimulus has been removed)
- Enhanced entoptic phenomena*
- Photophobia (sensitivity or intolerance of light, which can cause some people to avoid sunlight, computers, fluorescent lights, and car headlights)
- Nyctalopia (impaired night vision)
Symptoms are not consistent with typical migraine visual aura
Symptoms are not better accounted for by another medical condition
*excessive floaters in both eyes, excessive blue field entoptic phenomenon (uncountable little grey/white/black dots or rings shooting over the visual field of both eyes when looking at homogeneous bright surfaces such as the blue sky).
Symptoms of Visual Snow
There are visual and non-visual symptoms:
Symptoms of Visual Snow
There are visual and non-visual symptoms:
More Visual Symptoms
Self-lighting of the eye (colored waves or clouds perceived when closing the eyes in the dark)
Spontaneous photopsia (flashes of light or small floating objects)
Diplopia (double vision)
Other visual phenomena, such as starbursts and halos
Visual Motion Sensitivity (difficulties with environments with busy visual backgrounds, such as the grocery store)
Visually induced dizzines and nausea
Non-Visual Associated Symptoms
Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing noise in the ears)
Anxiety and Depression
Depersonalization (feeling detached from yourself)
Frequent migraines
Brain fog and confusion
Paresthesia (tingling “pins-and-needles” sensations, commonly in the arms, hands, legs and feet)
Insomnia and other sleep-related issues
AN INDIVIDUALIZE PROGRAM OF
VISION REHABILITATION
PRESCRIPTION LENSES, TINTS AND PRISMS WHEN NEEDED
COMPREHENSIVE NEURO-OPTOMETRIC VISUAL EVALUATION
HELP FOR PATIENTS WITH VISUAL SNOW SYNDROME INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
HELP FOR PATIENTS WITH VISUAL SNOW SYNDROME INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
A few important words from our Vision Help Colleague Barry Tannen, OD regarding treatment for patients with Visual Snow Syndrome
We can help! Contact us for more information
and schedule an evaluation today!
We can help! Contact us for more information
and schedule an evaluation today!
Colleagues Dr. Lynn Hellerstein of Vision Beyond Sight speaks on her podcast
with Dr. Charles Shidlofsky, founder and Center Director of Neuro-Vision Associates of North Texas, and founder and current president of the International Sports Vision Association. Test and Treatments for Visual Snow Syndrome or VSS are discussed. Find out more about:
- What are neurodevelopmental vision and the eye-brain connection?
- What is Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS)?
- What did we learn from the research study on VSS?
- What tests and treatments are available for VSS?
To Listen, Click Here
To Listen, Click Here